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ElDoctor's avatar
ElDoctor
Explorer
Dec 28, 2016

inverter/converter problems?

Hello. I have a 2000 dutchstar with the xantrex freedom combi 458 inverter/charger. it keeps popping the fuse on the inverter when i try to charge my batteries. It hums, getting louder till it pops the fuse. And when I'm on battery power through the inverter, I get noise from my gfci outlets and noise from my elec motors (fans)

I'm hooked up to shore power currently. When I disconnect the batteries to charge with an external charger none of my 12 volt lights ect will work.(120 still works) I'm GUESSING the converter/charger side of my inverter is not working. From what I understand, when pluged into shore power some of the power splits off to the converter to power the 12 volt system. This doesn't seem to be happening with the batteries disconnected. Still GUESSING, that the power isnt reaching or isnt being converted to 12 volt and that I'm running my 12 volt system off the batteries since i get nothing with the batteries disconnected and the batteries seem to discharge too fast considering I'm plugged into shore power.

Also, before the fuse started to blow, while charging, (and the engine batteries disconnected) i get power to my dash system and from what I understand, these are supposed to be two separate systems.

What can I do to check the inverter,charger before I buy a new one. Open it up and take a look? I have a multimeter if that will help.Or maybe I have a short some place else and thats causing the fuse to pop? The batteries are new.

Any help would be appreciated.
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  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2016
    ElDoctor wrote:
    Thanks for the responses.

    I have a 2000 dutchstar with the xantrex freedom combi 458 inverter/charger

    the fuse was blowing before I disconnected them.

    No, the fan doesnt come on. Should it come on as soon as the charger is turned on? Or after it gets hot?

    The battery voltage was 12 something with the charger off and 13 something with it on but will not stay on when the fuse blown. Assuming fully charged batteries, what should the maintenance (to keep bat topped off) be?


    From the 458 owners manual:
    Thermostat Controlled Cooling
    Freedom Inverter/Chargers are equipped
    with a thermostatically controlled fan that cools
    the unit so it can operate continually at its rated
    units with only supplemental circuit breakers
    between the unit and the load.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Dec 28, 2016
    Why disconnect the batteries
    You can use the portable charger on the batteries while they are connected to the RV
    This way your 12v systems will work
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Dec 28, 2016
    1. The FUSE. Is this the 250/300 amp fuse? Or the fuse on the Xantrex unit?
    2. There is NO converter. You have a 100 amp CHARGER on the Freedom.
    3. You MUST have a Battery connected when you have an Inverter/Charger. This type system will not function correctly without a battery connected.
    4. You state you connected the batteries correctly. After 37 years as a tech, I could buy a new car if I got $10 for every customer that would swear on a stack of bibles he connected the new batteries correctly. You need to doublecheck the battery connections.
    5. On your year Newmar, there is a Bi directional relay charge system that even with the Chassis batteries disconnected can supply power to the Positive side of the Chassis thru the Inverter/Charger.
    6. WHY are the chassis batteries disconnected??????? Doug
  • ElDoctor's avatar
    ElDoctor
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    no. we did them one at a time. im sure they are connected right.
  • John_Wayne's avatar
    John_Wayne
    Explorer II
    Dec 28, 2016
    You say the batt's are new did this start after you installed the new batt's? If so are you sure the new batt's are connected right?
  • ElDoctor's avatar
    ElDoctor
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Thanks for the responses.

    I have a 2000 dutchstar with the xantrex freedom combi 458 inverter/charger

    the fuse was blowing before I disconnected them.

    No, the fan doesnt come on. Should it come on as soon as the charger is turned on? Or after it gets hot?

    The battery voltage was 12 something with the charger off and 13 something with it on but will not stay on when the fuse blown. Assuming fully charged batteries, what should the maintenance (to keep bat topped off) be?
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Measure the battery voltage at the battery terminals.
    Charger OFF voltage should be 12 something.
    With the charger ON voltage should be 13-14 something.

    Report back to us.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2016
    Is the cooling fan operating within the inverter/charger when you are trying to charge your batteries?
  • msturtz's avatar
    msturtz
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    You don't mention any brand names of your coach or converter. That said in general converters are not designed to be run with no batteries connected. The reason for this is the converter needs the capacitive effect of the batteries. The power produced by the converter is not "clean" and some converters won't even produce power if they don't see a minimum voltage on the output side. It is very possible to damage a converter by operating it without batteries installed.

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